NASCAR hits auto reject button on Bubba's machine
While the Confederate flag often flies from vehicles of NASCAR fans, it’s not welcome on the field in an official capacity. Bubba Watson, who bought “General Lee,” the original car from the “Dukes of Hazzard” TV series, wanted to drive his new ride around the track for a parade lap when NASCAR comes to Phoenix International Raceway in March.
“NASCAR, International Speedway Corp. and Phoenix International Raceway officials discussed this and decided it was not in the best interest of our sport. The image of the Confederate flag is not something that should play an official role in our sport as we continue to reach out to new fans and make NASCAR more inclusive.”
Watson expressed his disappointment in a tweet, saying, “Sorry to say @nascar won’t let me drive The General Lee at the @PhoenixRaceway !!! #dreamcrushed.”
Asked for comment on Friday at the Northern Trust Open in L.A., he told the AP:
“The show was not racist. But I understand why people would get upset with the flag,” Watson said, adding that he’s “learned a lot about the history of the Confederate flag over the last few weeks.”
“Obviously, I don’t stand for the Confederate flag,” Watson said. “The Confederate flag was not used (in the show) for what people see it as today, so that’s sad. But NASCAR was built on moonshining, so the show was built on moonshining. I thought it was fun. I didn’t buy the car to get publicity; I bought it because I love it.”
Watson still plans to attend the race even if he can’t drive General Lee around the track. Question is, will he drive it there? Think of the publicity that would stir.
(Photo from the Phoenix Open)
February 18th, 2012 on 8:41 pm
Every time I see Bubba on the course or elsewhere on TV, I dislike him a little bit more. Hopefully he will take his fidgety game down the same route of the other “official redneck” of the Tour – Boo Weekly into oblivion. At least Boo was kind of likeable in his own way, Bubba is the opposite of that.
February 18th, 2012 on 9:17 pm
In the phots, did you notice how he’s taking up two parking spaces? Self-centered and entitled.
February 18th, 2012 on 9:48 pm
So Bubba grew up in the US (in the south) and has a college degree, and is just now learning what the confederate flag stood for?
February 18th, 2012 on 11:27 pm
Just good ole boys, never doing no harm, the law may not get them but Nascar sure did.
Bye bye Nascar, another nail in your coffin.
I am from the north and this is a southern sport, where is your pride? The rest of the world should be open to the diversity of Nascar and allow the southern flag.
February 19th, 2012 on 12:53 am
This is why i’m surprised the PGA let’s Bubba flaunt that car around tour. The PGA tour has become more redneck than NASCAR. After all NASCAR hasn’t had a champion from the south since Labonte in 2000. Where the PGA is full of hillbillies named Bubba,Boo, and BO. Then of course there’s the fact that no African Americans have tour cards unless you count Eldrick the Cablanasian.
February 19th, 2012 on 8:21 am
Only learning about the Confederate flag within the past couple of weeks? Dude needs to keep his mouth shut; he continues to remove all doubt that he’s an idiot.
February 19th, 2012 on 11:38 am
The southern flag? Is there a Northern flag that I’m unaware of? How about a Western flag? Does Fla count in the Southern flag, because they weren’t part of the union yet.
This whole Southern pride, and that’s why we fly the flag, is revisionist BS history, and a cop out for people who want freedom to act poorly by claiming it’s their heritage.
February 19th, 2012 on 12:31 pm
Bubba is full of himself. I actually like him.. but he’s easily distracted. No coach doesn’t practice much…I’m confused. Entertainer or World Class golfer?
February 19th, 2012 on 5:05 pm
Sorry, Shoshana, but Florida became the 27th state in the Union in 1845. They seceded in early 1861 and joined the Confederacy shortly thereafter.
February 19th, 2012 on 8:05 pm
@Walt learn something, for some reason I had thought Florida was part of spoils in Spanish-American War (1898) (but general point is still valid)
February 19th, 2012 on 8:20 pm
Those facts are among the few I recall from elementary school history many years ago in Central Florida! And yes, I agree that your point is valid.
February 19th, 2012 on 8:50 pm
It always amazes me the difference in how history is taught in different areas. Growing up in MD when Florida entered the union wasn’t really stressed (and neither was the Spanish-American war)
February 20th, 2012 on 8:23 am
The old saying about Florida is the further south you go, the more “North” you get. Bubba is from the area fairly close to Pensacola, which is indistinguishable from Alabama and GA. Lots of fine people down there, but make no mistake, Bubba is a neck.